A Study of the Discourse on the Separation of Religion from Education in Party and State Documents of the New Era

Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, the Communist Party of China has profoundly summarized the experiences and lessons of religious work in New China, corrected the errors of the "Cultural Revolution," restored and further clarified the Party's basic views and basic policies on the religious question, and, in light of the new circumstances and new conditions of reform and opening up and modernization, put forward new understandings such as managing religious affairs according to law and actively guiding religion to adapt to socialist society, thereby inaugurating a new phase in our country's religious work. Among these, upholding the separation of religion from education is an important component of religious work in the New Era and a significant element of the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics concerning religion.

十一届三中全会以来，中国共产党深刻总结了新中国宗教工作的经验教训，纠正了“文化大革命”的错误，恢复和进一步明确了党对宗教问题的基本观点和基本政策，并根据改革开放和现代化建设的新形势和新情况，提出了依法管理宗教事务、积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应等新认识，开创了我国宗教工作的新局面。其中，坚持宗教与教育相分离，是新时期宗教工作的重要组成部分，也是中国特色社会主义宗教理论的一个重要内容。

I. Upholding the Separation of Religion from Education Is One of the Party's Basic Views and Basic Policies on the Religious Question

一、坚持宗教与教育相分离，是党对宗教问题的基本观点和基本政策之一

China long existed in a feudal society and a semi-feudal, semi-colonial society, where religion and education were closely linked, especially among ethnic minorities where the entire population adhered to a religion. It is undeniable that religion once played a positive role in the formation and development of the cultures of various ethnic groups. However, against the backdrop of modern scientific development, the obstructive role of religion in education has become increasingly prominent. After the founding of New China, the Communist Party of China implemented the principle of separating religion from education. This was upheld and further developed during the New Era of reform and opening up, and has become one of the Party's basic views and basic policies on the religious question.

中国长期处于封建社会和半封建半殖民地社会，宗教与教育有着紧密的关系，在全员信仰宗教的少数民族中更是如此。不可否认，宗教对于各民族文化的形成和发展曾起过积极的作用，但是在近代科学发展的大背景下，宗教对教育的阻碍作用越来越突出。新中国成立后，中国共产党实行了宗教与教育相分离的原则。这一点在改革开放新时期得到坚持和进一步发展，已经成为党对宗教问题的基本观点和基本政策之一。

First, upholding the separation of religion from education is a consistent position of the Party on the religious question

首先，坚持宗教与教育相分离，是党对宗教问题的一贯主张

On June 27, 1981, the "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the People's Republic of China," adopted by the Sixth Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, clearly stated: "Upholding the Four Cardinal Principles does not require religious believers to abandon their religious faith; it only requires that they not engage in propaganda opposing Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, and that religion not interfere in politics or education." [1]1 The Four Cardinal Principles (四项基本原则) are: upholding the socialist path, the people's democratic dictatorship, the leadership of the CPC, and Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. On March 31, 1982, the "Basic Views and Basic Policies on the Religious Question during the Socialist Period in Our Country," issued by the Central Committee of the CPC, commonly known as Document No. 19, also emphasized: "The state power of a socialist country must certainly never be used to promote any religion, nor must it be used to prohibit any religion, as long as it involves normal religious beliefs and activities. At the same time, religion must never be allowed to interfere in state administration, interfere in the judiciary, interfere in school education or social public education; it must never be allowed to force anyone, especially minors under the age of eighteen, to join a religion, become a monk or nun, or study scriptures in temples; it must never be allowed to restore feudal religious privileges and systems of religious oppression and exploitation that have already been abolished; and it must never be allowed to use religion to oppose the Party's leadership and the socialist system, or to undermine national unity and unity among all ethnic groups within the country." [2]2 Document No. 19 (19号文件) is a key 1982 CPC Central Committee document that established the Party's basic religious policy for the reform era. On December 4, 1982, Article 36 of the "Constitution of the People's Republic of China," adopted at the Fifth Session of the Fifth National People's Congress, clearly stipulated in the fundamental law of the state: "The state protects normal religious activities. No one may use religion to engage in activities that disrupt social order, impair the health of citizens, or interfere with the state's educational system." [3]3 The "Cultural Revolution" (文化大革命, 1966-1976) was a period of political turmoil in China during which religious activities These three documents all hold important positions in the work of the entire Party. Their stipulation of the principle of separating religion from education demonstrates the Party's high level of attention and clear attitude on this issue.

1981年6月27日，十一届六中全会通过的《中国共产党中央委员会关于建国以来党的若干历史问题的决议》明确指出：“坚持四项基本原则并不要求宗教信徒放弃他们的宗教信仰，只是要求他们不得进行反对马列主义、毛泽东思想的宣传，要求宗教不得干预政治和干预教育。”① 1982年3月31日，中共中央印发的《关于我国社会主义时期宗教问题的基本观点和基本政策》，即我们通常所说的19号文件也强调指出：“社会主义的国家政权当然绝不能被用来推行某种宗教，也绝不能被用来禁止某种宗教，只要它是正常的宗教信仰和宗教活动。同时，绝不允许宗教干预国家行政、干预司法、干预学校教育和社会公共教育，绝不允许强迫任何人特别是十八岁以下少年儿童入教、出家和到寺庙学经，绝不允许恢复已被废除的宗教封建特权和宗教压迫剥削制度，绝不允许利用宗教反对党的领导和社会主义制度，破坏国家统一和国内各民族之间的团结。”② 1982年12月4日，五届全国人大第五次会议通过的《中华人民共和国宪法》第三十六条，在国家根本大法上明确规定：“国家保护正常的宗教活动。任何人不得利用宗教进行破坏社会秩序、损害公民身体健康、妨碍国家教育制度的活动。”③ 这三份文献在全党工作中都具有重要的地位，由它们来规定宗教与教育相分离的原则，表明了党对这个问题的高度重视和明确态度。

Second, upholding the separation of religion from education is an inherent requirement of the principle of separation of religion from politics

其次，坚持宗教与教育相分离，是政教分离原则的应有之义

After the founding of New China, the Party led the democratic reform of the religious system and resolutely implemented the principle of separation of religion from politics. Separating religion from education is an important aspect of implementing the principle of separation of religion from politics. On July 14, 1990, the "Circular of the Central Committee of the CPC on Strengthening United Front Work" emphasized: "The principle of separation of religion from politics must be upheld. The state protects normal religious activities; religion must not interfere in state administration, the judiciary, school education, or social public education; it must not restore feudal religious privileges and systems of religious oppression and exploitation that have already been abolished; and it must not use religion to oppose the leadership of the Communist Party and the socialist system, or to undermine national unity and ethnic unity." [4]4 The “Opinions on Correctly Handling the Problem of Religious Interference in School Education in Ethnic Minority Areas” (《关于正确处理少数民族地区宗教干扰学校教育问题的意见》) was a document issued by the Ministry of Education in 1983 to address religious interference in secular schooling in minority regions. In September 1990, during an inspection tour in Xinjiang, Jiang Zemin also clearly pointed out: "In accordance with the principle that religion must be separated from politics, the state requires that all religions must not interfere in politics, interfere in government affairs, including the judiciary, education, marriage, family planning, etc., and must not engage in propaganda opposing the Four Cardinal Principles." [5]5 The “Directive on Correctly Handling the Issue of Religion in the Course of Eliminating Spiritual Pollution” (《关于在清除精神污染中正确对待宗教问题的指示》) was a 1983 Central Committee directive issued during the short-lived “anti-spiritual pollution” campaign, which sought to curb Western and religious influences deemed harmful to socialist ideology. Thus, whenever the non-interference of religion in politics is discussed, the non-interference of religion in education is correspondingly addressed. It can also be considered that failing to uphold the separation of religion from education constitutes a violation of the principle of separation of religion from politics.

新中国成立后，党领导了宗教制度的民主改革，坚决实行政教分离原则。将宗教与教育相分离，则是贯彻政教分离原则的重要方面。1990年7月14日，《中共中央关于加强统一战线工作的通知》强调指出：“要坚持政教分离的原则。国家保护正常的宗教活动，宗教不得干预国家行政、司法、学校教育和社会公共教育，不得恢复已被废除的宗教封建特权和宗教压迫剥削制度，不得利用宗教反对共产党的领导和社会主义制度，破坏国家统一和民族团结。”④ 1990年9月，江泽民在新疆考察工作期间也明确指出：“按照政教必须分离的原则，国家要求一切宗教都不得干预政治，干预政府事务，包括司法、教育、婚姻、计划生育等，都不得进行反对四项基本原则的宣传。”⑤ 可见，在论及宗教不得干预政治的时候，相应地就会谈到宗教不得干预教育。也可以这样认为，不坚持宗教与教育相分离，就违反了政教分离原则。

Third, upholding the separation of religion from education is a crucial link in building socialism with Chinese characteristics

再次，坚持宗教与教育相分离，是建设中国特色社会主义的重要一环

Building socialism with Chinese characteristics is a systematic project encompassing the four-in-one [6]6 The superscript {11} in the original text is a footnote marker; it is rendered here as [6] in the English translation for consistency with the endnote numbering system. dimensions of politics, economy, culture, and society. Each of these dimensions is inseparable from the support of education and the cultivation of qualified personnel. This requires upholding the separation of religion from education to continuously supply talent for the socialist cause. On January 15, 1983, the Ministry of Education, in its "Opinions on Correctly Handling the Problem of Religious Interference in School Education in Ethnic Minority Areas," pointed out: "Before liberation, Buddhist monasteries among the Tibetan and Dai ethnic groups were both religious institutions and cultural and educational institutions of that feudal society; religion and education were integrated. Among ethnic groups such as the Uyghur and Hui, the situation was slightly different, with both specialized religious schools and ordinary schools. After liberation, we implemented the principle of separating education from religion. Through extensive work, most religious schools were gradually disbanded, and religious courses in ordinary schools were also abolished long ago. This was an important achievement of reforming the old education system." [7]7 Chen Yun (1905–1995) was a senior CPC leader and economist. Jiang Zemin was General Secretary of the CPC from 1989 to 2002. The letter and instruction cited here reflect concerns about foreign religious infiltration targeting youth. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education emphasized in these "Opinions": "The fundamental task now facing the people of all ethnic groups across the country is to build our country into a modern, highly civilized, and highly democratic socialist state. All parts of the country, including ethnic minority areas, must further develop science, culture, and education, gradually universalize primary education, cultivate and train various types of talent, and continuously raise the scientific and cultural level of the people." [8]8 The National Conference on Religious Work was a major policy meeting held by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in December 2001. Therefore, we must fully recognize the importance of upholding the separation of religion from education from the overall perspective of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

建设中国特色社会主义，是包括政治、经济、文化、社会四位一体的系统工程。其中，每个方面都离不开教育的支撑，缺不得合格人才的培养。这就要求坚持宗教与教育相分离，为社会主义事业不断输送人才。1983年1月15日，教育部在《关于正确处理少数民族地区宗教干扰学校教育问题的意见》中指出：“解放前，藏、傣族中的佛教寺院既是宗教机关，又是那个封建社会的文化教育机关，宗教同教育是合一的。在维吾尔、回等民族中，情况稍有不同，既有专设的宗教学校，也有普通学校。解放后，我们实行教育同宗教分离的原则，经过大量工作，大部分宗教学校逐步解散，一般学校中的宗教课也早已取消，这是改革旧教育的重要成果。”⑥ 进而，教育部在该《意见》中强调指出：“现在摆在全国各族人民面前的根本任务，是把我国建设成为现代化的高度文明、高度民主的社会主义国家。全国各地，包括少数民族地区在内，要进一步发展科学文化教育事业，逐步普及小学教育，培养造就各类人才，不断提高人民的科学文化水平。”⑦ 因此，我们要从建设中国特色社会主义的大局出发，充分认识坚持宗教与教育相分离的重要性。

II. Upholding the Separation of Religion from Education Is an Inevitable Requirement for Implementing the Party's Basic Policy on Religious Work

二、坚持宗教与教育相分离，是贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针的必然要求

Fully implementing the Party's policy of freedom of religious belief, managing religious affairs according to law, upholding the principle of independence and self-management, and actively guiding religion to adapt to socialist society constitute the main content of the Party's basic policy on religious work. Examining the separation of religion from education in connection with this basic policy, it is not difficult to see that it is an inevitable requirement for implementing the Party's various religious policies.

全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策、依法管理宗教事务、坚持独立自主自办原则、积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，是党的宗教工作基本方针的主要内容。联系这个基本方针来认识宗教与教育相分离，不难发现它是贯彻党的各项宗教政策的必然要求。

First, fully implementing the Party's policy of freedom of religious belief inevitably requires upholding the separation of religion from education

第一，全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策，必然要求坚持宗教与教育相分离

Document No. 19 of 1982 provided a relatively complete definition of the policy of freedom of religious belief, stating: "Every citizen has the freedom to believe in a religion and the freedom not to believe in a religion; the freedom to believe in this religion and the freedom to believe in that religion; within the same religion, the freedom to believe in this sect and the freedom to believe in that sect; the freedom for those who did not believe in the past to believe now, and the freedom for those who believed in the past not to believe now." [9]9 Jiang Zemin’s 1990 inspection of Xinjiang was part of efforts to address ethnic and religious issues in the region. Therefore, in the process of implementing the policy of freedom of religious belief, we must ensure that: "While emphasizing the protection of people's freedom to believe in religion, we should also emphasize the protection of people's freedom not to believe in religion. These are two indispensable aspects of the same issue. Any act of forcing non-believers to believe in a religion, just like forcing believers not to believe, is an infringement on others' freedom of belief and is therefore extremely erroneous and absolutely impermissible." [10]10 The “Notice on Properly Resolving the Problem of Communist Party Members Believing in Religion” (《关于妥善解决共产党员信仰宗教问题的通知》) was a 1991 internal Party document reiterating the ban on Party members holding religious beliefs. It is evident that if religion interferes in education, it infringes upon others' freedom of belief and is contrary to the policy of freedom of religious belief.

1982年19号文件对宗教信仰自由政策做了比较完整的界定，指出：“每个公民既有信仰宗教的自由，也有不信仰宗教的自由；有信仰这种宗教的自由，也有信仰那种宗教的自由；在同一宗教里面，有信仰这个教派的自由，也有信仰那个教派的自由；有过去不信教而现在信教的自由，也有过去信教而现在不信教的自由。”⑧ 因此，我们在贯彻执行宗教信仰自由政策的过程中，必须要做到：“在强调保障人们信教自由的同时，也应当强调保障人们有不信仰宗教的自由。这是同一问题的两个不可缺少的方面。任何强迫不信教的人信教的行为，如同强迫信教的人不信教一样，都是侵犯别人的信仰自由，因而都是极端错误和绝对不能容许的。”⑨ 显而易见，如果宗教干预教育，就侵犯别人的信仰自由，是与宗教信仰自由政策相违背的。

Second, managing religious affairs according to law inevitably requires upholding the separation of religion from education

第二，依法管理宗教事务，必然要求坚持宗教与教育相分离

On 17 February 1983, when the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council transmitted the Ministry of Education’s “Opinions on Correctly Handling the Problem of Religious Interference in School Education in Ethnic Minority Areas,” they stressed: “Through democratic procedures, formulate necessary administrative regulations or local regulations, and earnestly resolve the matter. For the very few counter-revolutionaries who cloak themselves in religious garb and take the opportunity to incite and undermine the socialist education cause and engage in other reactionary activities, they must be resolutely exposed and struck.” [4]4 The “Opinions on Correctly Handling the Problem of Religious Interference in School Education in Ethnic Minority Areas” (《关于正确处理少数民族地区宗教干扰学校教育问题的意见》) was a document issued by the Ministry of Education in 1983 to address religious interference in secular schooling in minority regions. On 31 December 1983, the “Directive of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Correctly Handling the Issue of Religion in the Course of Eliminating Spiritual Pollution” [5]5 The “Directive on Correctly Handling the Issue of Religion in the Course of Eliminating Spiritual Pollution” (《关于在清除精神污染中正确对待宗教问题的指示》) was a 1983 Central Committee directive issued during the short-lived “anti-spiritual pollution” campaign, which sought to curb Western and religious influences deemed harmful to socialist ideology. stressed that “normal religious activities must be distinguished from illegal activities that exceed the scope of the Constitution, laws, and Party policies,” and pointed out: “While protecting freedom of religious belief and normal religious activities, we must also guarantee people’s freedom not to believe in religion, and must not compel those who do not believe to do so, especially must not compel minors under the age of eighteen to join a religion, become monks or nuns, or go to temples to study scriptures. Religion must not be allowed to interfere with state administration, interfere with the judiciary, interfere with marriage, interfere with school education and social public education. Religion must not be used to engage in activities that disrupt social order, and inciting religious fanaticism is opposed.” [6]6 The superscript {11} in the original text is a footnote marker; it is rendered here as [6] in the English translation for consistency with the endnote numbering system. Thus, it can be seen that ensuring the separation of religion from education through the establishment and improvement of laws and regulations is an important component of managing religious affairs according to law.

1983年2月17日，中共中央办公厅、国务院办公厅转发教育部《关于正确处理少数民族地区宗教干扰学校教育问题的意见》时，强调指出：“通过民主程序，制定必要的行政性法规或地方性法规，认真加以解决。对于极个别披着宗教外衣，借机进行煽动破坏社会主义教育事业和其他反动活动的反革命分子，则必须坚决予以揭露和打击。”⑩ 1983年12月31日，《中共中央关于在清除精神污染中正确对待宗教问题的指示》在强调“必须把正常的宗教活动同超出宪法、法律和党的政策规定范围的非法活动区别开来”时指出：“在保护宗教信仰和正常的宗教活动的同时，也要保障人们有不信教的自由，不得强迫不信教的人信教，特别是不得强迫十八岁以下的少年儿童入教、出家、到寺庙学经。不允许宗教干预国家行政、干预司法、干预婚姻、干预学校教育和社会公共教育。不得利用宗教进行破坏社会秩序的活动，反对煽动宗教狂热。”{11} 可见，通过建立健全法律法规来保障宗教与教育相分离，是依法管理宗教事务的重要内容之一。

Third, upholding the principle of independence and self-management necessarily requires adhering to the separation of religion from education

第三，坚持独立自主自办原则，必然要求坚持宗教与教育相分离

In April 1990, Chen Yun wrote in a letter to Jiang Zemin titled “A Letter on Attaching Great Importance to the Problem of Religious Infiltration”: “Having recently seen several materials concerning the increasingly serious religious infiltration, especially the increasingly rampant counter-revolutionary activities cloaked in religious garb under the new circumstances, I feel deeply uneasy. Using religion to contend with us for the masses, especially the youth, has always been a common tactic of class enemies at home and abroad, and it is also a painful lesson from the loss of state power by some countries led by communist parties.” In his instruction on this letter, Jiang Zemin pointed out: “The issue raised by Comrade Chen Yun is very important, and it indeed requires Party committees and governments at all levels to pay attention and be vigilant. We must never be negligent, and must take forceful measures early, otherwise it will lead to serious consequences.” [7]7 Chen Yun (1905–1995) was a senior CPC leader and economist. Jiang Zemin was General Secretary of the CPC from 1989 to 2002. The letter and instruction cited here reflect concerns about foreign religious infiltration targeting youth. This precious document reflects an important fact: using religion to interfere with education is one of the main means of religious infiltration by hostile forces abroad. In this regard, we must fully recognize that adhering to the separation of religion from education concerns the principle of independence and self-management and concerns the overall situation of combating religious infiltration.

1990年4月，陈云在给江泽民写的《关于高度重视宗教渗透问题的信》中说：“最近看到几份有关宗教渗透日益严重，特别是在新形势下披着宗教外衣从事反革命活动日益猖獗的材料，深感不安。利用宗教，同我们争夺群众尤其是青年，历来是国内外阶级敌人的一个惯用伎俩，也是某些共产党领导的国家丢失政权的一个惨痛教训。”江泽民在对此信的批示中指出：“陈云同志提出的问题很重要，确实需要引起各级党委和政府重视和警觉，千万不能麻痹大意，要及早采取有力措施，否则会酿成严重后果。”{12} 这份珍贵的文献，反映了一个重要事实：利用宗教来干扰教育，是境外敌对势力进行宗教渗透的主要手段之一。对此，我们必须充分认识到，坚持宗教与教育相分离，事关独立自主自办的原则，事关反宗教渗透的大局。

Fourth, actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society necessarily requires adhering to the separation of religion from education

第四，积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，必然要求坚持宗教与教育相分离

On 10 December 2001, Jiang Zemin pointed out at the National Conference on Religious Work: “Actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society does not require religious figures and believers to abandon their religious faith, but rather requires them to love the motherland, support the socialist system, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and abide by the state’s laws, regulations, and policies; it requires that the religious activities they engage in must submit to and serve the highest interests of the state and the overall interests of the nation; it supports them in striving to interpret religious doctrines in a way that meets the requirements of social progress; it supports them in joining with people of all ethnic groups to oppose all illegal activities that use religion to harm the interests of the socialist motherland and the people, and to make greater contributions to ethnic unity, social development, and the unification of the motherland.” [8]8 The National Conference on Religious Work was a major policy meeting held by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in December 2001. Thus, it can be seen that actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society, in terms of the requirements placed on religion, does not interfere with the internal affairs of religion, nor does it violate the policy of freedom of religious belief. It still adheres to the consistent principle of “political unity and cooperation, mutual respect in belief,” requiring religion to abide by laws, regulations, and policies that have been tested in practice, including the separation of religion from education, and so on.

2001年12月10日，江泽民在全国宗教工作会议上指出：“积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，不是要求宗教界人士和信教群众放弃宗教信仰，而是要求他们热爱祖国，拥护社会主义制度，拥护中国共产党的领导，遵守国家的法律法规和方针政策；要求他们从事的宗教活动要服从和服务于国家的最高利益和民族的整体利益；支持他们努力对宗教教义作出符合社会进步要求的阐释；支持他们同各族人民一道反对一切利用宗教进行危害社会主义祖国和人民利益的非法活动，为民族团结、社会发展和祖国统一多作贡献。”{13} 可见，积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应，对宗教方面提出的要求，没有干涉宗教内部事务，也没有违背宗教信仰自由政策，仍然是坚持“政治上团结合作、信仰上互相尊重”的一贯原则，要求宗教遵守已经在实践中得到检验的法律法规和方针政策，包括宗教与教育相分离等等。

III. Different Requirements for Party Members and Cadres, the Education Sector, the Religious Sector, and Academia in Adhering to the Separation of Religion from Education

三、坚持宗教与教育相分离，对党员干部、教育界、宗教界、学术界的不同要求

Adhering to the separation of religion from education involves Party and government administrators, educators, religious figures, and various other aspects. The specific requirements for implementing the principle also differ. Looking at historical experience and current demands, the following points repeatedly emphasized in Party and state documents require high attention and practical implementation.

坚持宗教与教育相分离，涉及到党政管理者、教育工作者、宗教界人士等各个方面。具体到原则执行中的要求，也各有不同。就历史经验和现实要求来看，党和国家文献中反复强调的以下几点，需要高度重视和切实落实。

First, Communist Party members must not believe in religion and must not participate in religious activities

第一，共产党员不得信仰宗教，不得参加宗教活动

Communist Party members are vanguard fighters with communist consciousness. Their worldview must be a Marxist worldview, and they must uphold atheism. If Party members and cadres fail to achieve this, they are not true Communist Party members and cannot uphold the separation of religion from education. In view of this, Party organizations and leaders often emphasize the atheistic requirements for Party members. In September 1990, during an inspection tour in Xinjiang, Jiang Zemin emphasized conducting education on the Marxist view of religion and specifically stressed the need to uphold atheism and propagate atheism. He pointed out: “Communists are atheists and must uphold atheism and propagate atheism at all times. For non-atheistic ideas that exist among some Party members, patient and meticulous education and in-depth ideological work should be carried out to help them solve their worldview problems.” [9]9 Jiang Zemin’s 1990 inspection of Xinjiang was part of efforts to address ethnic and religious issues in the region. On 28 January 1991, the “Notice of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Properly Resolving the Problem of Communist Party Members Believing in Religion” clearly stipulated: “For those who have lost their communist conviction, firmly believe in religion, or have become religious professionals, and who do not change after education, they should be persuaded to withdraw from the Party; if persuasion fails, they should be expelled.” “For those whose communist conviction is shaken, who are keen on organizing or participating in religious activities, who, after criticism and education, show determination to change and actual performance, and who themselves request to remain in the Party, they may be dealt with by setting a deadline for correction; for those who do not change after criticism and education, they should be persuaded to withdraw from the Party.” [10]10 The “Notice on Properly Resolving the Problem of Communist Party Members Believing in Religion” (《关于妥善解决共产党员信仰宗教问题的通知》) was a 1991 internal Party document reiterating the ban on Party members holding religious beliefs. Document No. 6 of 1991 also clearly pointed out: “For those who participate in inciting religious fanaticism and support the indiscriminate construction of temples and churches, serious criticism and education should be carried out; if they still do not repent after education, they should be expelled from the Party.” [11]11 Document No. 6 of 1991 refers to a specific internal Party document, likely the “Several Opinions on Further Doing a Good Job of Religious Work” (《关于进一步做好宗教工作若干问题的通知》) issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Therefore, we must always remember that Communist Party members believing in religion and participating in religious activities violates the nature of the Party, weakens the combat effectiveness of Party organizations, reduces the Party’s prestige among the masses, and is also detrimental to the correct implementation of religious policies, including the separation of religion from education.

共产党员是有共产主义觉悟的先锋战士，世界观应该是马克思主义的世界观，必须坚持无神论。如果党员干部做不到这一点，就不是真正的共产党员，就无法坚持宗教与教育相分离。有鉴于此，党的组织和领导经常强调党员的无神论要求。1990年9月，江泽民在新疆考察工作期间，强调进行马克思主义宗教观教育，而且要求特别注意坚持无神论和无神论宣传。他指出：“共产党人是无神论者，任何时候都要坚持无神论，宣传无神论。对一些党员中存在的非无神论思想，要进行耐心细致的教育和深入的思想工作，帮助他们解决好世界观问题。”{14}1991年1月28日，《中共中央组织部关于妥善解决共产党员信仰宗教问题的通知》明确规定：“对于丧失共产主义信念，笃信宗教，或成为宗教职业者，经教育不改的，应劝其退党，劝而不退的予以除名。”“对于共产主义信念动摇，热衷于组织或参加宗教活动，经过批评教育，有转变决心和实际表现，本人要求留在党内的，可作限期改正处理；经过批评教育不改的，应劝其退党。”{15}1991年6号文件也明确指出：“对那些参与煽动宗教狂热、支持滥建寺观教堂的，要严肃地进行批评教育，经教育仍不悔改的要开除党籍。”{16} 因此，我们必须始终牢记，共产党员信仰宗教，参加宗教活 动，违背党的性质，削弱党组织的战斗力，降低党在群众中的威信，也不利于正确贯彻执行包括宗教与教育相分离在内的宗教政策。

Second, strengthen propaganda and education on the Marxist view of religion and atheism among the masses

第二，对人民群众加强马克思主义宗教观和无神论的宣传教育

Communist Party members must not only refrain from believing in religion but must also propagate a scientific worldview among the masses. If the masses establish a Marxist view of religion, upholding the separation of religion from education will have a broad mass foundation. On September 13, 1979, the document “The Tasks and Policies of the United Front in the New Historical Period,” approved and transmitted by the Party Central Committee from the National United Front Work Conference, clearly stated: “Under the new circumstances, it is necessary to strengthen the management of religious activities and earnestly do a good job of ideological education for religious believers and figures in religious circles. Among the masses, propaganda and education on atheism must be carried out.”{17} Document No. 19 of 1982 again pointed out: “Guaranteeing freedom of religious belief should not hinder but rather should strengthen efforts to popularize science education and strengthen propaganda against superstition.”{18} Therefore, strengthening propaganda and education on the Marxist view of religion and atheism, as well as education on basic religious knowledge and basic policies, should become an important component of ideological and political education. At the same time, we must also recognize that “propaganda and education on atheism for the masses must be distinguished from the requirements for Party members and must be combined with the concrete practice of building socialist material civilization and cultural-ethical progress. [12]12 “Socialist material civilization and cultural-ethical progress” (社会主义物质文明和精神文明建设) is a standard formulation from the early reform era, referring to the twin goals of economic development and ideological/moral cultivation. We must be adept at using a materialist viewpoint to explain the roots of religious belief, make solid efforts to raise people’s scientific and cultural quality, avoid simplistic approaches that hurt the religious feelings of believers, and avoid using administrative orders to force people not to believe in religion.”{19} On December 7, 1990, when Jiang Zemin met with some representatives of the National Conference on Religious Work, he elaborated on this in depth: “For us Communists, we must both adhere to the Marxist worldview and at the same time earnestly implement the policy of freedom of religious belief stipulated in the national constitution; that is, every citizen has the freedom to believe in religion and also the freedom not to believe in religion. We cannot adopt a ‘Left’ attitude toward religious belief just because we Communists believe in atheism. Conversely, just because there is a policy of freedom of religious belief, it is also impermissible to stop propagating atheism and cultivating ‘new people with four virtues.’ [13]13 “New people with four virtues” (四有新人) refers to the ideal socialist citizen possessing ideals, moral integrity, education, and a sense of discipline, a slogan promoted by Deng Xiaoping. It should be explained that Communists must be atheists; this does not violate the policy of freedom of religious belief. We cannot say that because of freedom of religious belief, we should be timid and hesitant about the issue of Party members believing in religion and dare not conduct education. However, we cannot casually interfere with non-Party members who believe in religion. Otherwise, it is easy to damage the relationship between the Party and religious believers and affect stability and unity. In a word, we must use the Marxist view of religion as a guide to prevent two one-sided tendencies in religious work.”{20}

共产党员不但不能信仰宗教，而且必须要向人民群众宣传科学的世界观。如果人民群众树立了马克思主义宗教观，坚持宗教与教育相分离就有了广泛的群众基础。1979年9月13日，中共中央批转的全国统战工作会议文件《新的历史时期统一战线的方针任务》明确指出：“在新形势下，要加强对宗教活动的管理，认真做好对信教群众和宗教界人士的思想教育工作。在人民群众中，要进行无神论的宣传教育。”{17} 1982年19号文件再次指出：“保障信教自由，不但不应妨碍而且应当加强普及科学教育的努力，加强反迷信的宣传。”{18}因此，加强马克思主义宗教观和无神论的宣传教育，以及加强宗教基本知识、基本政策的教育，应成为思想政治教育的重要组成部分。与此同时，我们也要认识到，“对群众进行无神论宣传教育，要同对党员的要求区别开来，并同社会主义两个文明建设的具体实践结合起来。要善于用唯物主义观点说明宗教信仰的根源，下功夫提高人们的科学文化素质，防止简单从事而伤害信教群众的宗教感情，防止用行政命令的方法强迫人们不信教。”{19} 1990年12月7日，江泽民同全国宗教工作会议部分代表座谈时，对此进行了深入的阐述：“对我们共产党人来讲，既要坚持马克思主义的世界观，同时也要认真贯彻国家宪法规定的宗教信仰自由政策，就是说，每个公民既有信仰宗教的自由，也有不信仰宗教的自由。不能因为我们共产党人相信无神论，就用‘左’的态度对待宗教信仰。反过来，又不能因为有了宗教信仰自由政策，对无神论，对培育‘四有’新人就不宣传了，这也是不行的。应该说明，共产党员必须是无神论者，这并不违反宗教信仰自由政策。不能说因为宗教信仰自由，就对共产党员信教问题缩手缩脚，不敢进行教育。但是，对非共产党员信教我们不能随便去干预。否则，很容易损害党同信教群众之间的关系，影响安定团结。一句话，就是我们要用马克思主义的宗教观作指导，防止宗教工作中的两个片面性。”{20}

Third, strengthen education on patriotism and socialism for figures in religious circles

第三，对宗教界人士加强爱国主义和社会主义教育

Upholding the separation of religion from education cannot be achieved without the close cooperation of figures in religious circles. This requires educating and guiding figures in religious circles, making them understand that the separation of religion from education is an inevitable requirement of social development and is also very important for the religious circles themselves. Regarding the education of figures in religious circles, there are many discussions in the documents of the Party and state. For example, Document No. 19 of 1982 pointed out: “For all figures in religious circles, especially various types of religious professionals, we must give them due attention, unite with them, care for them, and help them progress. We must persistently and patiently conduct education for them on patriotism, law-abidingness, support for socialism, support for national unification and ethnic unity, and among Catholics and Christians, we must also strengthen education on independence and self-management of the church.”{21} On May 11, 1983, Xi Zhongxun, in his speech celebrating the 30th anniversary of the founding of the China Islamic Association, also pointed out: “Continue to run the Islamic Theological Institute well, plan to cultivate and educate a younger generation of religious professionals; run refresher courses well, provide training for existing ahungs and mullahs, continuously raise their awareness of patriotism and socialism, raise their cultural level and religious knowledge, and earnestly implement the Party’s and state’s religious policies.”{22} On March 28, 1984, the “Summary of the Forum on Work in Tibet” pointed out: “We must strengthen education on patriotism and law-abidingness for religious figures, guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of religious professionals and Living Buddhas to engage in normal religious activities, and especially give full play to the positive role of patriotic figures in religious circles. For religious rules and customs that seriously harm production, affect the people’s livelihood, or even endanger people’s lives, on the basis of full consultation with religious figures and patient education of the masses, we should promote their voluntary and gradual reform, and rely on them to preside over it.”{23} On February 5, 1991, the “Notice of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Several Issues Concerning Further Improving Religious Work” pointed out: “All patriotic religious organizations should accept the leadership of the Party and government, abide by national laws, carry forward the tradition of self-education, and regularly conduct education for religious personnel on patriotism, socialism, current affairs and policies, national laws and regulations, etc., continuously raising their consciousness of safeguarding national and ethnic interests and upholding the principle of independence and self-management.”{24} There is no doubt that the above-mentioned education all contains the content of the separation of religion from education.

坚持宗教与教育相分离，离不开宗教界人士的密切配合。这就需要对宗教界人士进行教育和引导，让他们知道宗教与教育相分离是社会发展的必然要求，对宗教界自身也非常重要。关于宗教界人士的教育问题，党和国家文献中的论述很多。比如1982年19号文件指出：“对于一切宗教界人士，首先是各种宗教职业人员，一定要予以应有的重视，团结他们，关心他们，帮助他们进步。必须坚持不懈地和耐心地对他们进行爱国守法、拥护社会主义、拥护祖国统一和民族团结的教育，在天主教和基督教中还要加强独立自主、自办教会的教育。”{21} 1983年5月11日，习仲勋在庆祝中国伊斯兰教协会成立30周年的讲话中也指出：“继续办好伊斯兰教经学院，有计划地培养和教育年轻一代的宗教职业人员；要办好进修班，对现有的阿訇、毛拉进行培训，不断提高他们的爱国主义和社会主义觉悟，提高文化水平和宗教学识，认真执行党和国家的宗教政策。”{22} 1984年3月28日，《西藏工作座谈会纪要》指出：“要加强对宗教人士的爱国守法的教育，保证宗教职业者和活佛从事正常宗教活动的合法权益，特别是要充分发挥宗教界爱国人士的积极作用。对于严重危害生产，影响群众生活，甚至危及人民生命的教规陋习，应在同宗教界人士充分协商和耐心教育群众的基础上，推动他们自愿地、逐步地加以改革，并且依靠他们，由他们主持进行。”{23} 1991年2月5日，《中共中央、国务院关于进一步做好宗教工作若干问题的通知》指出：“一切爱国宗教团体都应当接受党和政府的领导，遵守国家法律，发扬自我教育的传统，经常对教职人员进行爱国主义、社会主义、时事政策、国家法律、法规等教育，不断提高维护国家和民族利益，坚持独立自主自办原则的自觉性。”{24} 毫无疑问，在上述教育中都包含着宗教与教育相分离的内容。

Fourth, the education sector must adhere to the basic requirement that religion must not interfere with education

第四，教育界必须坚持宗教不得干预教育的基本要求

On January 15, 1983, the Ministry of Education, in its “Opinions on Correctly Handling the Issue of Religious Interference in School Education in Ethnic Minority Areas,” proposed: “In ordinary schools, it should be clearly stipulated: (1) It is not permitted to propagate religion or instill religious ideas to students in schools; (2) Schools must not suspend classes to engage in collective religious activities; (3) It is not permitted to force students to believe in religion, nor to force them to become monks, lamas, or mullahs, etc.; (4) It is not permitted to offer or teach religious courses in schools in any form; (5) It is not permitted to use religion to interfere with or disrupt the normal teaching order of schools; (6) It is not permitted to interfere with or obstruct schools from conducting education on Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, and scientific and cultural education for students in any form.”{25} These opinions are all valuable experiences gained from practice and must be upheld and implemented.

1983年1月15日，教育部在《关于正确处理少数民族地区宗教干扰学校教育问题的意见》中，提出：“在普通学校应当明确规定：（1） 不得在学校向学生宣传宗教，灌输宗教思想；（2） 学校不得停课集体进行宗教活动；（3） 不得强迫学生信仰宗教，不得强迫他们当和尚、喇嘛或满拉等；（4） 不得以任何形式在学校开设或讲授宗教课；（5） 不得利用宗教干扰或破坏学校的正常教学秩序；（6） 不得以任何形式干扰或阻挠学校向学生进行马列主义、毛泽东思想教育和科学文化教育。”{25} 这几条意见，都是从实践中得到的宝贵经验，务必坚持和落实。

Fifth, strengthen scientific research on religious issues

第五，加强宗教问题的科学研究

Upholding the separation of religion from education also requires theoretical support. Therefore, the academic community must take Marxism as a guide, strengthen research on religious issues, serve practical work, and at the same time prevent religious infiltration under the guise of “culture” or “academia.” In this regard, Document No. 19 of 1982 emphatically pointed out: “Conducting scientific research on religious issues using Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods is an important component of the Party’s theoretical work. Using Marxist philosophy to criticize idealism (including theism), conducting education on the scientific worldview of dialectical materialism and historical materialism (including atheism) for the masses, especially the vast number of young people, and strengthening the propaganda of scientific and cultural knowledge about natural phenomena, social evolution, and human birth, aging, illness, death, good fortune, and misfortune are among the important tasks of the Party on the propaganda front. Building a team of religious theory researchers armed with Marxism, and running well research institutions and relevant university departments that use Marxism to study religious issues, are indispensable and important aspects of building the Party’s theoretical team.”{26}

坚持宗教与教育相分离，也需要理论上的支撑。所以，学术界要以马克思主义为指导，加强宗教问题的研究，为现实工作服务，同时防止以“文化”或“学术”名义的宗教渗透。对此，1982年19号文件强调指出：“用马克思主义立场、观点、方法对宗教问题进行科学研究，是党的理论工作的一个重要组成部分。用马克思主义哲学批判唯心论（包括有神论），向人民群众特别是广大青少年进行辩证唯物论和历史唯物论的科学世界观（包括无神论）的教育，加强有关自然现象、社会进化和人的生老病死、吉凶祸福的科学文化知识的宣传，是党在宣传战线上的重要任务之一。建设一支用马克思主义武装起来的宗教理论研究工作队伍，努力办好用马克思主义研究宗教问题的研究机构和大学的有关专业，是党的理论队伍建设的一个不可缺少的重要方面。”{26}

In summary, upholding the separation of education from religion, and that no organization or individual may use religion to engage in activities that hinder the national education system, is one of the basic views and basic policies of the Communist Party of China on religious issues. It is also an inevitable requirement for fully implementing the Party’s policy of freedom of religious belief, managing religious affairs according to law, upholding the principle of independence and self-management, and actively guiding religion to adapt to the socialist society. Of course, upholding the separation of education from religion in practice is not easy and requires the joint efforts of Party cadres, the education sector, religious circles, and the academic community.

综上所述，坚持教育与宗教相分离，任何组织和个人不得利用宗教进行妨碍国家教育制度的活动，是中国共产党对宗教问题的基本观点和基本政策之一，也是全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策、依法管理宗教事务、坚持独立自主自办原则、积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应的必然要求。当然，在实践中坚持教育与宗教相分离，也非易事，需要党员干部、教育界、宗教界、学术界的共同努力。

Notes:

注释：

① *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995 edition, p. 52.

①《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第52页。

② *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995 edition, p. 60.

②《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第60页。

③ *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995 edition, p. 77.

③《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第77页。

④ *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, pp. 178-179.

④《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第178-179页。

⑤ *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 184.

⑤《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第184页。

⑥ *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 81.

⑥《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第8l页。

⑦ *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 82.

⑦《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第82页。

⑧ *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 59.

⑧《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第59页。

⑨ *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 60.

⑨《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第60页。

⑩ *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 78.

⑩《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第78页。

{11} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 102.

{11}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第102页。

{12} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 177.

{12}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第177页。

{13} *Selected Works of Jiang Zemin*, Vol. 3, People's Publishing House, 2006, p. 387.

{13}《江泽民文选》第3卷，人民出版社2006年版，第387页。

{14} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 184.

{14}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第184页。

{15} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 206.

{15}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第206页。

{16} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 221.

{16}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第221页。

{17} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 12.

{17}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第12页。

{18} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 60.

{18}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第60页。

{19} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 184.

{19}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第184页。

{20} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 201.

{20}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第20l页。

{21} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, pp. 61-62.

{21}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第61-62页。

{22} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 92.

{22}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第92页。

{23} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, pp. 114-115.

{23}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第114-115页。

{24} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 218.

{24}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第218页。

{25} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, pp. 81-82.

{25}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第81-82页。

{26} *Selected Documents on Religious Work in the New Period*, Religious Culture Press, 1995, p. 72.

{26}《新时期宗教工作文献选编》，宗教文化出版社1995年版，第72页。

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